TEFL/TESL Graduate Certificate Program
The University of South Alabama offers a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)/
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) graduate certificate program. Students
in any graduate degree program can take additional courses to earn the certificate.
English teaching overseas is in high demand. This career requires, at minimum, a certificate
attesting to the qualifications of the job candidate.
Careers with a TEFL/TESL Certificate
TEFL/TESL certification is for teaching English to non-native English speakers. There are hundreds of jobs listed every day for TESL/TEFL instructors internationally. If you are looking for an opportunity to live overseas and learn a new culture, a TESL/TESL credential qualifies you for jobs that allow you to live and support yourself in many countries by teaching English to children and adults.
Jobs are located all over the world. There is a tremendous demand for qualified English as a Foreign Language instructors in Asia, the Middle East, Oceana, Eastern Europe and Latin America. There are online opportunities as well.
A TEFL/TESL Certificate also opens up job possibilities in teaching English in adult English programs in the U.S.
Currently Pursuing a Master’s in Foreign Language or ESOL?
Students studying foreign languages or ESOL can add the TEFL/TESL Certificate on to their degree with a few extra courses. A flexible internship or practicum is needed to earn your TEFL/TESL Certificate. Practicums can overlap with other subject areas and with study abroad.
Application Deadline
Fall 2022: Registration Open (Semester Starts August 17)
Candidates for the graduate certificate must be enrolled in the Graduate School. Students who would like to pursue the TEFL/TESL certificate independent of a degree program can submit an application online. Interested individuals will need to have a bachelor's degree.
To apply for the certificate program, click the apply now button on this webpage. Questions? Contact the program coordinator Dr. Laureen A. Fregeau lfregeau@southalabama.edu.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on all program of study courses is required. No grades of D or F may be counted.
Those enrolled in the Certificate program may also elect to pursue the master's degree in ESOL and will be allowed to apply the Certificate courses toward their degree program once admitted and upon approval of the ESOL Program Coordinator.
Students enrolled in an ESOL graduate program may opt to complete this program to earn the certificate in addition to completing their degree program.
The TEFL/TESL Certificate will have five courses and a minimum of 15 credit hours:
ELT 545 Cross-Cultural Understanding **
ELT 530 Methods and Materials for ESOL
LNG 500 Introduction to Applied Linguistics
LNG 510 Applied Linguistics
Practicum or Internship (LNG 496 or program coordinator approved alternative)
*Students who took LNG 300 or LNG 400 should ask about applying them to the graduate
certificate.
**EDF 515 Education in a Diverse Society may be substituted with permission of the program coordinator if ELT 545 is not offered.
Course substitutions can be made at the discretion of the program coordinator. The graduate certificate is housed in the USA College of Education and Professional Studies. Dr. Laureen Fregeau, Dr. Susan Ferguson and Dr. Eleanor Ter Horst are co-co-coordinators. Please contact Dr. Fregeau (lfregeau@southalabama.edu) for additional information or to request course substitutions.
When courses are complete, the TEFL/TESL certificate notation will be added to the transcript.